Mandy's bistro
MAY 19 2022 We are so pleased to announce our first performance at the new venue Mandy’s Bistro! 6:30pm-8:30pm $10 www.mandysbistro.com or 416-519-4461
SELLERS AND NEWEL
OCT 16, 2021 Samways is very excited to perform at this very hip College St West bookstore in our home Toronto. It’s our first gig in a long time we can’t wait to play this series! Oct 16 2021 672 College St. W, $20 Double vaccination required, social distancing and masks recquired. TICKETS
Music togetHER
APRIL 28, 2020 This series was created by the Arts & Crafts record label, Slaight music, and the Ontario Ministry Heritage. Through the use of a projector and some internet streaming technology Samways was able to reunite virtually!! You can watch the performance here.
C'est What
FEB 27, 2020 This was to be the first of a monthly residency at the historic C’est What in Toronto’s amazing St Lawerence Market neighborhood. Alas, in two short weeks they along with every other concert venue would be closed. Oh well, at least we got this cute pic of us discovering actual book on the side of the stage ! We are also lucky that on this gig was sound man / booking agent extrodinaire Myles Lacroix. He made an excellent multitrack recording of the performance which was invaluable for our records pre-production process. I will be enjoying their wonderful craft beers again at my earliest opportunity.
the rex hotel
FEB 25, 2020 The Rex Hotel, Toronto ON. is one of the top jazz clubs in Canada and have been wonderfully supportive of music that that bends genres. Samways fun fact #67 : Samways bassist Chris Banks and drummer Neil Macintosh have both served beer at the Rex Hotel!! #68 Samways composer Nathan Hiltz was working the door for a friends gig at the Rex one night when Prince walked in. (yes, that prince.) And if you’re really interested here is a video from this very fun performance.
THE MARKHAM JAzz festival
FEB 9, 2020 They are well known for putting on an incredible jazz festival every August, but did you know that the Markham Jazz Festival runs a monthly concert series all year round? We were so excited for the invitation to perform for this very well attended series.
the toronto reference library
DEC 27, 2019 Talk about a dream gig for Samways! I have loved visiting the Toronto reference library ever since the early 2000’s when I would visit the top floor to go through their large collection of sheet music, CD’s, and perhaps to use a piano room to go through some of what I’d find. What a pleasure it was to be invited to bring my Canadian poetry inspired ensemble to their concert stage. Their Winter Concert Program provides free concerts at the Library on a weekly basis. Who says you can’t make a little noise at the library!?
120 diner
AUGUST 21, 2019 Oh man do we ever miss 120 Diner. It was a club run by Mandy Goodhandy and Todd Klinck. Steps away from Toronto’s Yonge and Queen intersection, it was an important cultural institution for Toronto’s LGBQT but also became vital to musicians, comedians, and thespians alike. It was sadly lost due to the pressures of pandemic. The shine of Toronto becomes a little dimmer every time we lose one of these places.
the old mill
AUGUST 20, 2019 This was out very first gig! Look at those smiling faces! I think we had about 9 tunes in our repertoire at this early stage, I’m not quite sure how we stretched them to last 3 sets (actually I do know,good old reliable jazz standards!!) If you’re really interested in a deep cut, here is a video of ‘The Little Shoes’ from that night.